Where have all the April Showers gone?
Time is flying by. I don’t think we have been so busy or excited about a season as we are currently here at College Farm.
Horses are running well, despite only one winner on the score board at the moment, from 23 runs to date, 1 winner and 9 in the frame I am calling that a promising start to the year.
Our first 2 turf runners hit the grass at the Craven Meeting in Newmarket. 3yo’s Secret Treaties and Queen of Burgundy. Both ran very respectable in good company. We are all certainly looking forward to their next outings.
Had hoped to have a couple at Nottingham but with the drought we seem to be experiencing at the moment, the ground is just a bit too firm for them.
Our grass gallops are now rock hard, never known it so dry for the time of year. No doubt the rain will come, probably all at once with a massive thunder storm and run off the land and block all the drains. Oh well the weather is certainly something we cannot change.
Lots in the pipeline to run shortly, very excited about all of them. Yarmouth kicks off next week so hoping to be there with a couple, Percy Toplis for one – He won there last year but despite an encouraging 2nd at Chelmsford a couple of runs ago, reverted back to his old unpredictable self on his last 2 runs. Ran well at Yarmouth last year so hoping it will energise him back on grass close to home?
Another we hope to run is our handsome Mazmerize. I really like this chap, great attitude, had his first run at Chelmsford a few weeks ago, poor chap was a little traumatised jumping from the stalls, being a home bred has never seen too much of the outside world apart from a few trips to Newmarket gallops. He seemed to start to get the hang of things in the dying stages of the race and may need another run or two before the penny drops. Definitely got something about him so here’s hoping for a promising run from him.
Our 2yo band is, I think, the best I have had for many years (my days with Russian Rocket & Co some of you may remember).
Our super little Grey filly, Last Days of May (by Outstrip) is shaping up very nicely, as is Cuban (by Havana Gold), and Kate’s Star (by Casamento) all three look like making 2yo runners in the not too distant future. We also have a new addition to the yard Dubai Harriet (by Henry the Navigator) she has come over from Ireland to be trained, a very smart looking filly. Lots to look forward to.
I had hoped to organise an informal Open Morning here at the yard but things have just really been a little too chaotic. If anyone wants to pop along and have a chat, or would like to get a bit more involved in the horseracing world and see the horses, please get in touch.
On the breeding side we have 4 new smashing additions to the Stud so far. College Doll a Garswood filly, Born to Fly a Mayson filly, Mystical Witch a Brazen Beau colt and latest addition, a lovely Bobby’s Kitten colt from Winterton. 2 to go, now well overdue, Patience to Outstrip and Satin Waters to Gregorian. Now the nights are warming up I’m sure that should help them along!
Here’s to the next time………………
PS: Wondered what goes on after a race? Listen to Hayley Turner giving some feedback on Secret Treaties. Click the arrow to hear what she had to say.